Light Steel Framing: Improving the Integral Design

Abstract

Light Steel Framing has been extensively used in cold climate countries due to its good thermal and structural behaviour. Improved thermal behaviour results in positive environmental impact essential for sustainable construction. This modern building technology entered the British market a few years ago and it is gaining great popularity and credibility. Heat loss reduction and tenement thermal comfort have been the main driving forces defining the design of these frames. The present study evaluates and develops the way these structures are designed. The main issue to be addressed is how striving for thermal efficiency can lead to structural weakening and poor fire performance. Thus, the main objective of this study is to establish a methodology of integral design that can lead to a better comprehensive performance. Both, experimental and computational work has been carried out in order to optimize the design of Light Steel Framing.